title: Pulmonary function of workers in the aluminum industry.
abstract: The effects of aluminum on the pulmonary function of aluminum workers were investigated in this study. Serum aluminum levels and spirometry were measured in 55 male workers and 30 male controls. The mean serum aluminum level of workers (72.7 +/- 9.9 ng/ml) was significantly high compared to that of controls, indicating aluminum toxicity. Spirometric parameters were significantly lower in workers than in controls and correlated negatively with both exposure time and serum aluminum levels. The impairment in pulmonary function may be due to exposure time and insufficient protection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: San
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gökbel
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Bediz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sayal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000535:Aluminum / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning; D002617:Chemical Industry; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D008451:Maximal Voluntary Ventilation; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D016272:Occupational Health; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D012115:Residual Volume; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D000535:Aluminum